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Where can you find the Nebenbestimmungen?
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On the residence sticker in your passport – shown as an additional note under “Nebenbestimmungen.”
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On the plastic residence card – often attached as a separate A4 sheet called “Zusatzblatt zur Aufenthaltserlaubnis.”
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In official decisions issued by the Ausländerbehörde or the BAMF – especially for refugees and people with protection status.
Key phrases and their legal meaning
| German phrase | Translation | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet | Employment permitted | Full access: employment + self-employment |
| Beschäftigung erlaubt | Employment (as an employee) permitted | You may work as an employee, but not self-employed |
| Selbstständigkeit erlaubt | Self-employment permitted | You may run a business/freelance, but not necessarily as an employee |
| Nur mit Genehmigung der Ausländerbehörde | Only with permission of the foreigners’ authority | You need approval before starting work |
| Nur mit Zustimmung der BA | Only with approval of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) | The employer must apply for approval to hire you |
| Keine Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet | No employment permitted | Working is not allowed |
How do you recognize full work permission?
If it says “Erwerbstätigkeit gestattet,” it means you are free to:
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work as an employee
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be self-employed (e.g., freelancer or registered business/Gewerbe)
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no prior approval from the Ausländerbehörde or the Jobcenter is required
Cases that require permission
If it says “Nur mit Zustimmung/Genehmigung der Ausländerbehörde,” then:
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the employer must submit an official request (e.g., “Antrag auf Beschäftigung”)
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involvement/approval of the Federal Employment Agency (BA) may be required
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the decision may take one to several weeks
Practical example
Your residence title is: “Aufenthaltserlaubnis gemäß § 25 Abs. 2”
And under Nebenbestimmungen it says: “Beschäftigung nur mit Erlaubnis der Ausländerbehörde gestattet”
This means:
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you may work only after receiving written permission from the foreigners’ authority.
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you must submit the employment contract, and labor-market-related checks may apply before approval.
When is full work permission granted?
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After 3 months as an asylum seeker (under § 61 AsylG)
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After receiving protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection)
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If you hold a study residence permit and switch to work after graduation
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After successful integration (e.g., language, employment, stable residence)
Tips to understand the document accurately
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Read every word in the Zusatzblatt or on the passport sticker.
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Do not rely only on the plastic card: the Nebenbestimmungen are often on the attached sheet.
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If unsure, contact migration counseling or a lawyer specialized in immigration law.
Conclusion
“Nebenbestimmungen” are the detailed conditions that determine whether you may work, whether work is prohibited, or whether work requires specific approval. Understanding them correctly tells you when you can apply for jobs, when you must wait for permission, and when you would otherwise be in breach of the rules.
— The website’s authors and editors strive to provide accurate information through extensive research and by consulting multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may be unconfirmed. Please treat the content as initial guidance and always consult the competent authorities for confirmed and binding information.
